What is the cheapest car that will appreciate in value?

"superdave847" (superdave847) 07/16/2020 at 00:31 • Filed to: None

1

50

Or—what car is still overlooked and undervalued?

I would submit in this order from best value to worst: E36 M3, 911 964 Cabriolet, and E30 3 series (if you can find one), and the Cayman R , being the most expensive, but with the most potential appreciation.

I picked the E36 overall, because it is beautiful in both sedan or coupe form, is simple, light, and attractive. Prices seem to stay in the high teens for good ones and in the twenties for exceptional cars. I think this is a car that will increase in value because so many were turned into race cars and destroyed. The survivors will inherit the earth.

Next, the 964 values have gone wild for the coupe and Targas mainly because they represent the last narrow body, hand-built, air-cooled cars. The 964 used to be the ugly duckling because it left the factory without a head-gasket and other gremlins, but has quickly become the hottest classic 911 that isn’t a Turbo or Long-hood.

They hit the sweet spot on creature comfort / rawness between the 993 and Carrera 3.2. Coupes and Targas are almost impossible to find for sale and the few on the market are listed in the high 60s to 80s.

But, the Cabriolet prices are still in the 30s all day long for really clean cars.

Next, the E30 is the quintessential BMW—boxy, simple, light weight, and has great balance. The M3 prices are stratospheric—cars with 150k miles are listing for more than $60k. Most of the regular 325s and 328s have been destroyed as track cars, but the rare manual survivors look great. If you can find one, this seems like a no-brainer.

Last, the most expensive car on my list is the 2012 Porsche Cayman R. It was only built for 2012. It had more horse power than the 997 911, but weighed less at 2800 pounds. Prices are in the 50ks and 60ks, but in the water-cooled Porsche world this makes the most sense. Except, for maybe the Boxster Spyder.

Thoughts?

Coda:

If I weren’t stupidly hunting a Porsche long-hood (either 911 or really clean 912 is fine), I would buy a 986 Boxster for cheap, fast, flat-six  smiles. It’s the German Miata with runny-eggs.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 00:36

5

Rust free 80s Supra, RX7, MR2. 

superdave847 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/16/2020 at 00:37

0

I have to admit I have a blindspot for Japanese cars.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 01:13

2

Don’t know much either, but with how many were used and abused I imagine any left are going to be special

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 01:37

1

Well my 240Z is worth more now than when I bought it. 

promoted by the color red > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 01:38

2

According to Bring a Trailer (and my hopes & dreams), Volvo 240 station wagons. The supply is drying up and values are climbing, doubly so now that wealthy urban hipsters decided they would pay big bucks and the Swedes are shopping here for cars to export.

$500-$2k buys an okay example that you could probably flip for more. I hinted that I thought about selling my 1983 Turbo and someone was already asking to buy it.

LastFirstMI is my name > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 01:44

1

Hemi Dodge Magnum. Because eventually the world will realize that wagons are cooler than crossovers, and they’ll be shocked to find you can get one with a V8 for under 10 grand. And the people will rejoice.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/814566741/overview/

SmugAardvark > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/16/2020 at 01:57

1

MR2? Undervalued?

Back around 2009, I bought an AW11 S/C model for $750 plus a retired Spec E30 (without the cage or drivetrain, so basically just a very tired shell ).

A quick glance at CarGurus shows two (naturally aspirated) AW11's for sale. One for $8,000 and one for $13,000. That seems legitimately insane to me.

Saracen > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 02:13

2

B7 RS4 sedans.

They were only sold here for a couple of model years. They suffer a bit of a stigma, partly because of association with the S4 and its timing chain issues (which the RS4 doesn’t suffer from because it basically has a different engine), and is notoriously plagued by carbon buildup. The DRC suspension is also leak prone.

Carbon buildup can be mitigated, and the DRC can just be swapped out with a (superior) coilover suspension...Ohlins and KW are popular choices.

Additionally, it’s getting harder and harder to find clean low mileage cars, and they’re really damn good to drive. It has a six speed manual.  And that 4.2 sounds glorious.

Even with over 100k miles they will fetch over 20k, and in the 60k mile range they trade hands for over 30k.

gettingoldercarguy > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 02:20

0

S2000

RPM esq. > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 02:45

1

W124 Mercs are shockingly cheap considering the build quality and period style. Not as fun to drive as your choices, though.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 03:22

1

If inflation was a thing then a  2020 manual 4x4 Tacoma could well be the winner.... certainly works for their Hilux cousin!

PyramidHat > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 05:27

0

BMW Z3?

sony1492 > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 05:28

1

P orsche 944

Volvo 740-940 wagons

Mrecedes w126

G35's? They seem to have hit rock bottom and eventually people will realize they are the last stand for reliable manual sports sedan.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > SmugAardvark 07/16/2020 at 05:56

0

https://bringatrailer.com/toyota/aw11-mr2/

Should see BaT. And how many remain in good condition?

Discerning > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 07:32

2

Don’t forget the 2011 boxster spyder. Similar to the cayman r, but more distinct  visually

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > SmugAardvark 07/16/2020 at 08:11

1

Do you still have it? I paid 1k for a 914 in 20 10

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > sony1492 07/16/2020 at 08:21

1

Which gen g35? In my area i t seems like there are no more v35 g35s left that dont have some sort of primered bumper or F&F treatment by their 3rd owner .

sony1492 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/16/2020 at 08:37

0

Less so the first gens but really all of them, and the g37's

Just Jeepin' > gettingoldercarguy 07/16/2020 at 08:47

2

Good grief, how much higher do you think they’ll appreciate??

Arrivederci > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 08:54

1

My FIL is enlisting my help to find a Cayman R.  I’m not sure if it’s the right car for him just because I think he’d rather drive it than keep it pristine in hopes of appreciation.

superdave847 > Discerning 07/16/2020 at 09:08

1

Very good choice. The Boxster Spyders are very special cars.

Discerning > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 09:28

1

When I saw how cheap they’ve gotten, it gave me considerable pause.

But I’m still primarily looking at 3 very different cars: 993 C2 M6 , 996tt M6, 991.1 C2S PDK. Wildly different versions of the same car with considerable reasons behind each model.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 09:44

1

Datsun S30 280Z. They are still on the low end of the S30 resurgence and are quite a bit better built so they should be in better condition than the shipped with rust 240Z’s while still having the classic shape.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > sony1492 07/16/2020 at 09:52

1

I really don’t see G35/37s ever appreciating.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Arrivederci 07/16/2020 at 09:53

2

Just find one with miles and rock chips already added.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 07/16/2020 at 09:54

0

Hoping my 2018 manual 4x4 Tacoma does as well as you’re thinking!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > gettingoldercarguy 07/16/2020 at 09:54

0

If you can get one cheaply, yes.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > LastFirstMI is my name 07/16/2020 at 09:55

1

This is a good pick.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > PyramidHat 07/16/2020 at 09:55

0

The coupes? Maybe.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 09:56

0

Not cheap, but Chevy/Holden SS Sedan w/ manual.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/16/2020 at 09:58

1

CP all around, Dude!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 07/16/2020 at 10:02

0

Haha - I’m planning to keep it in the family for 15 years, so it doesn’t really matter. Unless, of course, Ford makes the Bronco I want and someone buys it and takes good care of it for me for a few years...

Thomas Donohue > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 10:06

1

I think the 987.2 Boxster Spyder is a slightly better bet than the R for appreciation , but at current prices I think they are likely going to continue to hold their value. There is a lot of speculation on how many R’s were actually made (1500? 35 00? Or based on chassis numbers over 5000?) while the Spyder is around 2000.

The cheapest Boxster most likely to appreciate IMO is an original, clean, low mileage 1997 Boxster 2. 5 . They are soon coming up on 25 years old (25?!?!?!) and Porsche will likely commemorate with a new special edition, which will start to drive more interest in the latest ‘affordable classic’ Porsche. Right now you can still find sub 60k mile examples for under $10,000, but they bottomed out two years ago and you’re already seeing people starting to ask $15- to $20k for low-mile garage queens. Early 2.5 engines had a few hiccups but no IMS issues.

Very clean 2000 Boxster S models (first year of the S) are now 20 years old, and the 2004 SE (1, 953 produced, with the most HP of any 986) will likely hold their value.

Again, there are a lots of 986s out there, so you’re only talking about low-mile,manual trans, very good condition cars that might appreciate. But don’t be surprised when you start seeing them roll out on Barrett -Jackson in 2022 for way more than you’d think.

*blah blah IMS, but the majority of those have been grenaded by now unless you find a sub 15k mile garage queen. If so, get a PPI, and if it’s clean upgrade the OEM bearing. Done.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > superdave847 07/16/2020 at 10:12

0

NA Miata?

SmugAardvark > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/16/2020 at 18:09

0

Nah, I sold it when I moved to California. I want to say I got $2,000 out of the sale.

SmugAardvark > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 07/16/2020 at 18:12

0

Pretty much anything on BaT is grossly overvalued in my opinion.

Don’t get me wrong, the AW11 is a great car. Lots of fun to drive, although the lack of power is apparent. I could easily see $5,000 for a relatively clean S/C AW11 as a fair price.

I get the whole idea of something being only as valuable as what someone is willing to pay. I just couldn’t see parting ways with so much money for something like that.

B_dol > superdave847 07/17/2020 at 09:57

1

BMW E46 ZHP MT - already moving north value-wise yet still affordable. A much better alternative to the E36 M3 at the lower end of the price range. These have reached bottom and some lived hard lives. Finding a slicktop or coupe proves difficult. 

Looks aging well, great platform to drive and without the more expensive S5X engine to maintain. 

superdave847 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/17/2020 at 11:55

1

Way overbuilt for this discussion.

superdave847 > Discerning 07/17/2020 at 11:56

0

In that group, I would buy the 993. I think those are steal (even though they never really depreciated).

superdave847 > LastFirstMI is my name 07/17/2020 at 11:57

1

I think that’s on the Mercedes Benz platform, so its basically a E class AMG wagon!

superdave847 > Thomas Donohue 07/17/2020 at 11:58

0

I completely agree on this.

superdave847 > B_dol 07/17/2020 at 11:59

0

Wonderful car—but my question is how much more it will appreciate. I put this one in the 964 category wear the clean manual coupes are already gone.

Now, if you’re saying the E46 manual  cabriolet has room to appreciate, like the 964, I agree.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > superdave847 07/17/2020 at 12:04

1

Definitely, and not special or desirable enough.

Discerning > superdave847 07/17/2020 at 14:00

1

They aren’t bad, but they are few and far between. If I could find a clean C2 with a manual for under 60k, I would be super excited. Preferably in white or green I think.

superdave847 > Discerning 07/17/2020 at 14:05

0

How about polar silver with speed lines and a basket handle?

https://www.eacautos.com/vehicle-details/used-1995-porsche-911-carrera—plainview-ny-id-36782966

Discerning > superdave847 07/17/2020 at 14:18

1

Not bad. Would be curious if they have complete details about the accident. That one didn't come up in my searches. Which search engine did you use?

superdave847 > Discerning 07/17/2020 at 14:31

0

This one is on my Autotrader iPhone app. 

Discerning > superdave847 07/17/2020 at 16:17

1

Ah, I see it now. I was viewing it in browser and had selected the "no accidents" option. Thanks

LastFirstMI is my name > superdave847 07/17/2020 at 20:21

0

E class hemi..... OMG now I really want one

B_dol > superdave847 07/17/2020 at 20:35

1

There are still clean examples to be had. I think the biggest winners for appreciation will be the coupes first and any slicktop example next.

Not a fan of 4 seat BMW convertibles in any guise, but I am a small audience.